Pope Francis has confirmed today that he will be visiting Philadelphia in September of 2015. The announcement comes after much speculation once it was first announced that the World Meeting of Families would be held in the city of brotherly love. Pope Francis made the announcement today as he opened a conference at the Vatican dealing with the theme of marriage. He was quoted as saying “We know that today marriage and the family are in crisis,” as reported on NBC . The pope then made the momentous announcement, saying, “I wish to confirm, according to the wishes of the Lord, that in September of 2015, I will go to Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families.” This will be his first papal visit to the United States after having traveled all over the Middle East, Albania, South Korea and Brazil.
The American public has been expressing their excitement over the news, including Philadelphia’s own Archbishop Charles J. Chaput who remarked to The New York Times , “I am overjoyed by Pope Francis’ announcement that he will join us…His charisma, presence and voice will electrify the gathering .” Even the Philadelphia Museum of Art shared their excitement on Twitter.
Who’s looking forward to @Pontifex visiting #philly next year? Will you be here to see it? #PopeinPhilly
— Phila Museum of Art (@philamuseum) November 17, 2014
During his visit to Philadelphia, Pope Francis will say mass on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway which is expected to draw as many as a million Roman Catholics. While his trip is confirmed, some are guessing that he will also stop in New York, but the Vatican’s spokesman, Reverend Federico Lombardi, was quoted as saying, “the Pope intentionally didn’t mention any other possible stops” and that Philadelphia is “the only public engagement of the trip to the United States as of now.”
The Pope’s visit comes at a pivotal time in the Roman Catholic church. The church has faced many issues in the recent past that have left a bad taste in many people’s mouths. With child abuse, sexual abuse, inappropriate use of power and money, many had lost faith in the church. With the election of Francis in March 2013, though, many are finding their way back to the church. Known for his humility, many people have found it a positive sign that he chose not to live in the official papal residence but instead in a smaller guest house and has not abused his power as the head of the church. He is one of the most popular popes ever, having his own Twitter account with over 4.72 million followers sharing his messages of faith, hope, and love.
Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia will come just weeks before bishops are expected to gather at the Vatican for a conference that could make momentous changes to the church’s standing on such hot button issues as homosexuality and divorcees’ being in good standing with the church.
Pope Francis’ election and now his visit to Philadelphia has brought and is still bringing much hope to Catholics all over the United States, especially now as they prepare to receive him.
[Photo courtesy of Agencia Brasil]